BDSM Clothing – The hows and whats of it!

December 27, 2018

Dressing up is a great way to get into character and facilitate a more exciting role play experience. Provocative and eye-catching, BDSM clothing will more often than not consist of latex, leather, PVC, spandex and fishnet. Not usually worn on a regular basis (i.e., for popping to the shop, or going into work), they are created specifically for that extreme wow factor. Not to be confused with cosplay or other costumes, BDSM clothing is designed specifically to be worn in certain scenarios.

A quick internet search highlights the gaping disparity between what is available for men and what is available for women. This is not surprising though, since research has shown that men are more responsive to visual sexual stimuli than their female counterparts (Hamann et. al, 2004) – but you already knew that.

For men, the range is usually limited to harnesses, plus some latex tops and bottoms. For women, the list seems endless; from lingerie and mini-skirts, to catsuits and that never-ending stiletto. So, what´s all the fuss about? Take latex. It clings to the skin and shows off all the right curves in all the right places, so it´s perfect for teasing your partner. Particularly for those who dapple in BDSM, the material appears as though some sensuous barrier between dom and sub. Not only this, it can act as a barrier between fantasy and reality: ´´Using latex helps heighten that feeling of departure from the default world´´ says dominatrix Snow Mercy from Los Angeles.

Fetish clothing such as this has a particularly interesting history. Indeed the term ´´fetishism´´ was associated with pathological illnesses which caused the sufferer to find inanimate objects sexually arousing. Since the sexual revolution of the ´50s, however, this has changed drastically – and people simply consider it as a unique taste that is perhaps not for everyone. Indeed, there are places around the world where the leather subculture remains more suppressed than others which is telling of this history.

However, it should be noted that the style has gained ´´maintstream´´ popularity in the fashion industry, particularly since the ´70s when the likes of Viviene Westwood showcased BDSM-inspired lines. Even moreso, since the 1990s, black leather and sexualised jewellery (e.g., chokers and chains) have become mainstream and have popularised the look outwith the BDSM context a company that offers https://bdsmcollar.shop.

This popularisation would suggest that such a style must be reasonably comfortable to wear. However, it is widely said that Victorian corsets were designed to crush the unlucky midden wearing them, both physically and mentally. Now that this is not something of an obligation, but rather something we wear by choice, it means we can have a bit of fun dressing up in them. Undoubtedly, a feminist might cry out at the suppression these garments represent, but in modern times it is important to remember that we do have a choice – an opportunity to update the social meaning of what we are wearing. This choice is empowering for a woman, and can be instrumental in bringing out that inner vixen in the bedroom.